Chapter 89 – On a Winning Streak

After completing the Historical Alteration, Lee Hanseong returned to the time of reality.

In the eyes of the Evil Spirit Mask, who was conducting the Hundred-Man Slaughter, it only looked like he had suddenly Divinely Possessed a Seven Star Spirit.

The Evil Spirit Mask paused the next challenger of the Hundred-Man Slaughter and pointed out the difference from what Lee Hanseong had said at first.

“Lee Hanseong. Didn’t you say last time that the highest Spirit was a 5-Star? What is that 7-Star Spirit you’re Divinely Possessing now?”

“That was certainly the case until just now. But now, the highest Spirit has become a 7-Star.”

At Lee Hanseong’s nonchalant answer, the eyes visible in the eye sockets of the Evil Spirit Mask narrowed.

“So, you’re saying you made a new Contract with a 7-Star Spirit in just a moment?”

“Not exactly, but it doesn’t really change anything if you understand it that way.”

“Don’t be vague and speak clearly. If you’ve broken the rules and lied from the start, the Hundred-Man Slaughter will end here.”

He pressured Lee Hanseong, who was not giving a clear answer, revealing his momentum.

However, Lee Hanseong didn’t seem to feel any pressure from that, only calmly looking at him.

No, rather, he sighed as if annoyed and opened his mouth.

“Haa, if you really want an answer, I’ll tell you. I didn’t Contract a new Spirit, but Promoted the existing one.”

“What?!”

The Evil Spirit Mask couldn’t help but be surprised when the concept of Spirit Promotion came from Lee Hanseong’s mouth.

Spirit Promotion had become a topic of conversation in the world due to Park Seongcheol’s Chungmugong becoming a 7-Star through the sparring video with the Association Head.

But to think Lee Hanseong had obtained a 7-Star Spirit in such a way.

“Could it be that you also had a ‘Fragment’?”

The Evil Spirit Mask, who came from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, knew that a Myth-Grade Fragment from the Underground could achieve Spirit Promotion.

But Lee Hanseong shook his head.

“No. If I had a Fragment, I wouldn’t have used it to merely Promote a Spirit.”

When speaking of the Fragment, a glint of madness flickered in Lee Hanseong’s eyes.

Spirit Promotion was merely…?

He wondered if there was a new use for the Fragment that he didn’t know about, but more than that, he was curious about how Lee Hanseong had achieved Spirit Promotion without a Fragment.

“Then, how did you Promote the Spirit? Since the highest Spirit was a 5-Star, it seems you Promoted it by two Grades to 7-Star.”

“That’s my ability, so I’ll keep it a secret. You should know that I’m being considerate of Thou/You just by revealing the Spirit Promotion, so stop the questioning here.”

However, with Lee Hanseong’s reasonable argument, he couldn’t delve into the question any further.

“…I won’t.”

The Evil Spirit Mask stopped the questioning and announced anew to the challengers gathered around.

“Everyone must know that Lee Hanseong’s highest Spirit has been updated to 7-Star from the conversation just now, right? If there is still anyone who wants to challenge, come up.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, all the remaining challengers were Mid-Rank Awakened of 5-Star or higher, so everyone was qualified to challenge Lee Hanseong, who had become a Mid-Rank Awakened.

“I can’t give up after coming this far. I’ll challenge.”

And none of them seemed to have any intention of giving up the challenge.

* * *

Whooooosh.

As the wind of the Underworld mixed with Ghost Wail blew.

Lee Hanseong looked at the next opponent of the Hundred-Man Slaughter who had newly come up.

The opponent he faced was a Contractor of Giparang, like Kang Min, whom he had fought in the Dungeon in the past.

The only difference was that the Grade of the Contractor was different.

Gooooooo!

4-Star and 5-Star, it was only a difference of one Grade, but as it was the boundary that separated High-Rank Spirits from ordinary Spirits, the difference was very large.

The opponent who Divinely Possessed Giparang overlaid Giparang’s Spirit Treasure Wave Sword onto his own Spirit Treasure Wave Sword.

Uwoooong,

With this, the Legendary Skill <Wave Gang Qi>, which was Giparang’s First Awakening Skill, achieved Skill Synthesis of the same kind and reached Myth Grade.

“Divine Artifact Awakening. Myriad Tribulation Wave Gang Qi.”

Kugugugugugugu!!!!

With just one swing, a tsunami of Gang Qi, as if myriad waves were overlapping, covered the area.

That wasn’t all.

Each wave contained the power of Giparang’s Fifth Awakening Skill 《Mirror Flower Water Moon》 and Sixth Awakening Skill 《Life Is Impermanent》, painting over reality.

“Domain Expansion. Impermanent Water Moon Night.”

If Giparang, whom 4-Star Kang Min had Contracted not long ago, unfolded the Sixth Awakening Skill Life Is Impermanent, he would only add Laws while coexisting in the same reality.

Life Is Impermanent, unfolded in the hands of a 5-Star Awakened, naturally led to Domain Expansion.

Mirror Flower Water Moon, naturally mixed into Life Is Impermanent, overlaid illusions inside the Domain.

Swaaaaaa― splashing!

A night sea full of surging Wave Gang Qi.

“Hoo. Is this Giparang’s true power?”

Lee Hanseong, who recognized the elements at a glance with Mind’s Eye, scanned the Domain with eyes full of interest.

Legendary Skill 《Bright Moon Gang Qi》.

The overflowing moonlight from the bright moon in the middle of the sky was also a deadly Gang Qi.

Third Awakening Skill 《Flowing Cloud Gang Qi》.

The white clouds floating leisurely around the moon were also ever-changing Gang Qi.

Fourth Awakening Skill 《Clear Sky Gang Qi》.

A stream of current flowing haughtily between the waves like a blue stream was also Gang Qi.

All the scenery inside the Domain signified the waves of time, and only Giparang was detached from such vicissitudes.

“Normally, one’s existence would have been gradually eroded from the moment they were trapped here.”

It was similar to but different from the Polarity Reversal, Ink Cloud Dispersal of the Great Evil Ring, which had the ability of decomposition.

The vicissitudes of Impermanent Water Moon Night were closer to the weathering that naturally erodes over the flow of time.

All abilities with a time limit would end instantly inside here.

“I’ve already grasped your Promotion ability. You’re forcibly increasing the time limit through the Treasure Vessel, but if there’s a time limit, the end will eventually come.”

The opponent confidently asserted his victory with a triumphant attitude.

Certainly, as he said, even Transcendence, which was constantly maintained by the power of the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, could not escape the effects of Impermanent Water Moon Night.

“You’re right. If it weren’t for Pheidippides, I would have been in danger too.”

Giparang’s face hardened at Lee Hanseong’s appearance, who was nonchalantly maintaining Transcendence.

“How… did you avoid the vicissitudes of Impermanent Water Moon Night?”

“You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.”

The Taiji Constitution, which transcended space-time, was not affected by the vicissitudes of Impermanent Water Moon Night.

If it were before completing the fourth Historical Alteration, Giparang would have been a fatal opponent, but to the current Lee Hanseong, he was no threat at all.

The biggest factor in Lee Hanseong easily defeating the enemies he fought after defeating the three Great Yokai of Japan was the difference in weapons.

No matter how much he raised his Grade with the Guarantee of the Righteous Will and Transcendence, Eightfold Annihilation, and various Enhancement Skills, Lee Hanseong’s skill was only about Half-Step 7-Star.

It was insufficient against an opponent who used the full power of a 7-Star.

What filled that deficiency were the two external objects.

One was the Divine Artifact, Devouring Heaven Demon Sword.

A reliable weapon that absorbed the opponent’s Starlight and used it to fuel the Transcendence.

And the other was the Demon Armor implemented with the Legendary Equipment Steel Gauntlet.

Since it contained the effect of the Awakening Skill <Perfect Body Control>, the Demon Armor was originally at the level of Legendary Equipment.

But during the battle with the Great Evil Ring, after the Spell Script was engraved with the Supreme Crafting Skill.

It became close to a Divine Artifact that Divinely Possessed a part of the Sword Demon’s power with Sympathy Spell.

Lee Hanseong was the same as wearing two Divine Artifacts.

On top of that, he could handle the two Divine Artifacts like a part of his own body with the <All Things Control> Skill, so he had shown a skill close to 8-Star until now.

But many things had changed after the fourth Historical Alteration.

“There’s no need for a long conversation between those who are about to kill each other.”

Duren’s Sword Levitation Technique, which he obtained in this Historical Alteration, was applied to the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword.

[<Primordial Chaos Gang Qi> links <Sword Levitation Technique> and <All Things Control>.]

Swaeeeek.

The Devouring Heaven Demon Sword left Lee Hanseong’s hand and began to face the enemy on its own.

Chaejaejaejaeng!

“…Sword Levitation Technique?!”

While the flustered Giparang barely faced the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword by wielding the Myriad Tribulation Wave Sword.

Lee Hanseong, who had become empty-handed, summoned the Spirit Treasure of Pheidippides, Duren, and Hanna in that gap.

Chakchakchak.

Herald’s Sandals wrapping around his feet.

Single-Heaven Sword held in his right hand.

A shield of healing made of Divinity held in his left hand.

Pabababat.

He unfolded Shrinking Earth in succession with the power of the shoes, driving the opponent.

He occupied an exquisite position in a way that formed a Combined Attack with the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, making the opponent’s hands confused.

“This cowardly…! What kind of one-on-one is this!”

“If you have a complaint, you can use Sword Levitation Technique too. Sword Levitation Technique isn’t exactly against the rules.”

If it was a Projection of a specific existence like Shuten-doji’s Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, it would violate the one-on-one rule, but making only the sword move separately like Sword Levitation Technique was not a problem.

“You really fight dirty.”

“I’ll gladly accept the compliment.”

The opponent knew well that Lee Hanseong’s Sword Levitation Technique was not a problem, so he only gave high praise.

Chwachwachwachwak!

On top of that, the Slash of Single Flash that transcended space further confused the opponent’s mind.

Not only did Lee Hanseong himself blink, but even the Slash cut through space?

If this wasn’t Giparang’s Domain, the opponent would have sunk long ago.

Swaaaaaaaaa!

The four types of Gang Qi that arose in various parts of the Domain grabbed the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword and Lee Hanseong’s ankles whenever the opponent was in danger, prolonging his life.

Even if he somehow shook off the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword and seized the opportunity to attack Lee Hanseong’s main body, it wasn’t the end.

The tsunami-like Myriad Tribulation Wave Gang Qi aimed at Lee Hanseong.

“Please, die!”

Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!

Shuuuuuuuu―

As the distance grew closer, Hanna’s shield made of Divinity only absorbed the opponent’s attack with <Embrace>.

Of course, as the scale of Myriad Tribulation Wave Gang Qi was large, it was impossible to absorb everything.

A part of the Wave Gang Qi passed over the shield and flowed into Lee Hanseong’s body, causing internal injuries.

Even that was instantly recovered by the healing properties of the Divinity that formed the shield and the Regeneration given by the True Blood of the Vampire.

“I’ll return it.”

And a failed attack soon leads to a crisis.

Kwaaaaaaang!

He poured out all the power accumulated on the shield with Embrace in one breath with Full Devotion.

An unavoidable fatal blow struck the opponent.

Tung― Tung― Tung―tungteodeong.

Puhwak.

The opponent’s Divine Form, which had been flying over the surface of Impermanent Water Moon Night like a skipping stone, turned into a water mist and disappeared.

The unharmed Giparang reappeared not far from where he had been.

It was the ability of Mirror Flower Water Moon dwelling in Impermanent Water Moon Night.

Swaeeeeeek!

But the situation didn’t change just because he prolonged his life with Mirror Flower Water Moon.

Lee Hanseong was constantly overwhelming the opponent.

The opponent, who had been constantly pushed back, even took out Giparang’s Polarity Reversal.

“Polarity Reversal. Era of Great Peace.”

Hoo―woong.

A specific wave spread out in an instant, and all the waves that had covered Impermanent Water Moon Night became calm.

He didn’t know the opponent’s intention in stopping the attack, but Lee Hanseong wielded the Single-Heaven Sword without missing the gap he had shown.

Chwachwachwak!

A cross-shaped Slash that cut through space poured down on the defenseless opponent.

But the cross-shaped Slash vanished futilely just before reaching the opponent.

“Neutralization? No, he changed the Law itself.”

The Insight of Mind’s Eye immediately recognized the Law created by the ability that reversed Wave Gang Qi.

At this moment, an Era of Great Peace had come to the Domain.

It was a state where attacks against each other were impossible.

“Polarity Reversal. Hiding Light and Nurturing Obscurity.”

In that state, Giparang unfolded the second Polarity Reversal.

When Bright Moon Gang Qi was reversed, it changed into the same form as Sima Yi’s Second Awakening Skill, the Legendary Skill.

Seureureuk―

The full moon floating in the sky of the Domain changed into a crescent moon, and Giparang’s figure was hidden in the darkness.

It seemed he was trying to gather the power of conspiracy.

Perhaps if he gathered enough power like that, he would release the Era of Great Peace and launch a fatal ambush that couldn’t be received with Embrace.

“If you have nothing more to show, let’s end it.”

But Lee Hanseong knew that the opponent’s strategy was just a desperate struggle.

His Starlight, who had Divinely Possessed Pheidippides, was enough even without relying on Eightfold Annihilation anymore.

“Relativity of Rules.”

He could use Alter’s Second Awakening Skill, which he hadn’t used because he was afraid Eightfold Annihilation would be released, again as much as he wanted.

With the Law of the Era of Great Peace, which prohibited each other’s attacks, no longer able to restrain Lee Hanseong.

“Absolute Fate.”

Seogeok!

Fate Severing, which reached the opponent who had concealed his appearance by riding the flow of the Domain and the Law, cut off the opponent’s neck.

A perfect death that even severed the connection between the Law of the Black Market that he would be resurrected as a Corpse and the opponent.

Giparang’s Divine Form, which was reverse-summoned by the death of the Contractor.

In the scattering scenery of the Domain, Lee Hanseong thought.

‘Unless it’s a Contractor of at least an 8-Star Spirit, even a 5-Star Mid-Rank Awakened can’t beat me.’

With the limit of Eightfold Annihilation, which restricted the number of times Awakening Skills could be activated, having disappeared, there was no one among the remaining challengers who could be a threat to him.

“Next.”

“…….”

Silence flowed among the other challengers waiting at that confident call.

Everyone was flustered at Lee Hanseong’s appearance, who had become much stronger than they had thought.

‘He suddenly became this strong?’

‘Surely until the previous Life-and-Death Duel, he was at a level where we could win if we used Divine Artifact Awakening!’

‘If we go out now, it’s a dog’s death.’

The thoughts they were having were naturally read by the Insight of Mind’s Eye.

“Is there no one else who wants to challenge?”

The Evil Spirit Mask urged when the next challenger didn’t come out even after a long time.

Nevertheless, the Mid-Rank Awakened who had gathered only hesitated and didn’t come forward.

While everyone was looking at each other’s faces.

“I’ll do it.”

A new challenger who had Divinely Possessed an 8-Star Yaksha came up in front of Lee Hanseong.